N'Faly Kouyate

N'Faly Kouyate is a Guinean musician. He is a member of the Mandinka ethnic group of West Africa. His father was the griot Konkoba Kabinet Kouyate, who lived in Siguiri, Guinea.

In 1994 Kouyate moved to Belgium and formed his ensemble Dunyakan (The Voice of the World). In 1997, he was invited to join the Afro Celt Sound System as their lead singer, playing the kora, and balafon,[1] collaborating with the others in the band to compose songs with an exceptionally unique world music sound, blending music from Ireland with that of West African countries including his native Guinea.

N'Faly Kouyat™'s dexterity and elegance in impassioned playing the kora made him known as "Jimmi Hendrix of the kora". The Guinean griot and member of Peter Gabriel's project Afro Celt Sound System is now working on his next album. Kouyat™, two times Grammy-nominated, winner of a golden disc, founded his own group in 1996: Dunyakan, "voice of the world". Six musicians from different cultures create a musical revolution by the mix of traditional Mandingo and modern western instruments embellished by African dance. N'Faly Kouyat™ has played amongst others for the Olympic Games in Athens and the wife of Nelson Mandela.

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